There are several interesting legends surrounding Surya,The Sun God.
Surya is considered to be an embodiment of the Trinity Bhrahma,
Vishnu and Shiva. Surya is considered to be Bhrahma until
midday, Shiva in the afternoon and Vishnu in the evening.
Surya
is portrayed seated on a seven horse driven
chariot. Aruna the charioteer is the elder brother of Garuda,
the favorite mount of Vishnu.
Usha
is the foremost of Surya's
consorts and is referred to in the Rig Veda. Usha is the queen
of the night, and is described as dressed in gold clothing adorned with
numerous stars. The second of his consorts is Padmini or the
lotus. (The lotus blooms when the sun rises in the east). The third of Surya's consorts
is Chaaya.
Another legend has it that the first consort of
Surya was Sanjana (Ganga). Yama
and Yami were the children born to Surya and Ganga. Unable to
bear the heat of the sun, Ganga returned to her father (Maya
the divine architect)'s home. As she left her husband, she created a look
alike Chhaya and left her in her place.
Chhaya
bore more of Surya's
children, and meted out step motherly treatment to Yama and Yami. She cursed
Yama to become an outcaste, and Yama thus became the God of death; Yami
transformed into the river Yamuna.
Surya
, suspecting foul
play interrogated Chhaya, discovered the whereabouts of Ganga (Sanjana),
reduced his intensity and led a life of bliss with her again; born to them were
the divine physican twins, the Ashwini twins.
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